James Ramsay Hunt and Mary Welsh Parker Memorial Sanctuary
318 acres
North Salem Road and Todd Road, Katonah, New York
Without a doubt, the crown jewel sanctuary in Bedford Audubon’s
sanctuary system, this sanctuary boasts a well-established marked trail system
through a variety of habitats. An informative trail guide was recently developed
as was a bird checklist. Mammal, butterfly, moth and plant checklists are
currently being developed. This property is accessed from North Salem Road in
the Town of Bedford, or from Todd Road in the Goldens Bridge section of the Town
of Lewisboro. A trail map is available at the sign-in kiosk on North Salem Road.
Welcome
Welcome to the James Ramsay Hunt Sanctuary! Hunt Sanctuary is one of three
properties that is owned and operated by the Bedford Audubon Society. At 318
acres, 120 acres are in the Town of Lewisboro and 198 acres are in the Town of
Bedford. The original gift of land was made to the National Audubon Society by
neighbor and member James R. Hunt of Bedford in memory of his late son of the
same name. There were several subsequent smaller donations of land made by other
members of the Hunt family, creating what we know as the current Hunt Sanctuary.
Mary Welsh Parker of Todd Road, Katonah (Lewisboro), made a generous gift of her
120-acre property and farmstead to Bedford Audubon Society in 2001.
The Sanctuary is open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Hiking,
nature study and the “passive" enjoyment of nature are permitted.
Collecting of anything, smoking and pets (including horses and dogs) are not
permitted. Please stay on the trails and proceed quietly through the sanctuary.
Please sign in at the Visitor’s Logbook in the Kiosk at the trailhead on North
Salem Road. Upon your departure, please leave any notes you may wish to forward
to the Society regarding your visit and observations.
“A Community’s Sanctuary”
John F. Kennedy once said, “After the dust of
centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for
victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the
human spirit.”
Without unique, community-minded , families like the Hunts,
the Parkers and the Baurs, this marvelous place would not exist for all to
enjoy. The James Ramsay Hunt Sanctuary is a living monument to all of those who
so selflessly gave to our community in perpetuity. May they not be forgotten.
Introduction | Geologic History | Natural
History | Birds and Other Wildlife | Cultural
History | Hiking Hunt-Parker Sanctuary | Bylane
Farm | Birds of the Hunt-Parker Sanctuary
| Trail Map
click for main BAS
Sanctuaries page
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